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| Charlotte, NC Dec 1 -6 ,2009; Ovens Theatre | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 28 2009, 09:03 AM (1,728 Views) | |
| mouser | Jan 28 2009, 09:03 AM Post #1 |
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December 1 - 6, 2009 Ovens Auditorium 2700 E Independence Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28205 TICKETS: SEATING CAPACITY: 2460 SEATING CHART: ![]() THE VENUE: courtesy of carolinatix.orgOvens Auditorium, located adjacent to Cricket Arena on East Independence Boulevard, opened along with the original Coliseum in 1955. For nearly half a century, world-greats have graced the stage of Ovens Auditorium. With a seating capacity of approximately 2,460, Ovens has hosted more than 7,000 events, attended by 9.4 million people. Ovens Auditorium has hosted top events and performances from the Billy Graham Crusade to Bob Hope and Bruce Springsteen. Broadway Shows, symphony concerts, opera, dance recitals and nationally known speakers have also found a home at Ovens, along with countless thousands of graduates who have walked across its stage to receive their diplomas. A recent five million dollar renovation at Ovens Auditorium provided upgrades to the auditorium, lobby exterior and grounds. These upgrades enable Ovens Auditorium to effectively serve the City of Charlotte with great entertainment events for many years to come. Still surrounded by its trademark fountains and rose gardens, Ovens Auditorium is truly among the finest of Charlotte's landmarks. courtesy of frontrowking.com courtesy of .questforthecrown.netDIRECTIONS: From I-85, exit at East Brookshire Blvd. (hwy 16) From I-77 take Brookshire Blvd. exit to Independence Blvd. Ovens Auditorium is located next to Cricket Arena (Old Coliseum rd), and next to the merchandise mart. RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS: http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/38/10048/Charlotte/Landmarks/Ovens-Auditorium.html Restaurants http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/POI-Ovens_Auditorium_Charlotte_North_Carolina_United_States-83797106.html Hotels POINTS OF INTEREST: 1. Historic Rosedale Plantation ![]() 3427 North Tryon Street Charlotte NC 28206 Phone: 704-335-0325 Rosedale, built in 1815, is one of the finest examples of Federal period architecture in North Carolina. Visitors will learn about the 19th century lifestyles of Piedmont area residents as well as view three rooms of original French wallpaper. The eight acres include restored formal gardens and numerous treasure trees. Our regular tour schedule is Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tours start on the hour at 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM. Adult Admission: $5.00; Students and Seniors: $4.00; and Members: Free. Children under 8 years old are free with paid adult admission.Groups of 10 or more $4.00 per person. Closed major holidays. 2. Charlotte Folk Society ![]() PO Box 36864 Charlotte NC 28226 Phone: 704-372-FOLK The Charlotte Folk Society is dedicated to promoting the enjoyment, preservation and continuance of traditional folk music, dance, crafts, and lore through classes on acoustic instruments, concerts, programs, an instrument lending library and archives of traditional music. Monthly programs held at CPCC in Uptown Charlotte and Myers Park Baptist Church. Concert locations vary. MEDIA: 1. From 'Idol' to Angel: Taylor Hicks goes for 'Grease' Season 5 winner gives musical theater a try. By Courtney Devores Special to the Observer Posted: Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 "American Idol" has proven a starmaker for its winner and many of its runners-up, but not every former idol can duplicate the mainstream chart career of a Carrie Underwood. That's where Broadway comes in. In 2008 Clay Aiken made his Broadway debut in "Monty Python's Spamalot." Fantasia Barrino did a stint as Celie in "The Color Purple." Even "AI" castoff Frenchie Davis turned rejection into a stage career in "Rent" and "Dreamgirls." Now Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is taking his turn as "Grease's" Teen Angel, the role Frankie Avalon made famous in the 1978 movie. "I'd been offered roles before I took the Teen Angel role, but I really wanted a role where I could get my feet wet in acting and theater instead of diving right in. I wanted a smaller role," says Hicks, 33. Unlike many of his fellow former "Idol" contestants who revel in Show Tune night, Hicks didn't have any musical theater experience. "I was always a musician and playing, but never did theater." It isn't such a stretch from performing with a band. "It's very interesting how similar it is. Playing off a musician and acting with someone is the same. You just use personality," he says. "I've had a blast with it." The latest revival, which mixes music from the stage musical and the Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta film, also stars another reality TV vet. Lauren Ashley Zakrin was a finalist on MTV's "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" and became the lead's understudy on "Legally Blonde's" first national tour. She plays Sandy in "Grease" when it kicks off its Charlotte run Tuesday (the show runs through Dec. 6). Hicks may be crooning "Beauty School Dropout" until his current run in "Grease" ends in June, but he's not abandoning his career as a singer-songwriter. In March he released his latest album, "The Distance," on his own label, Modern Whomp. "I'm also doing a song from my record in the encore of 'Grease.' Fans get to experience me as a singer-songwriter," he said.There may not be a better role for Hicks than that of old school soul crooner. He's been playing one as leader of the Soul Patrol since "Idol." Even on "The Distance" he's quick to point out classic touches like subtle saxophone subtones where you can hear the horn player take breaths between notes. "I definitely want to try to keep the lost art alive as much as possible. One of the ways I can do that is to implement the idea of a lost technique in my music and then talk about it. People who are of the average ear can experience it," he explains. That's not to say he doesn't appreciate the convenience and speed of technology. "I enjoy new techniques of recording. You can record anywhere. I think as much art that is lost (with technology), there's just as much art gained. It's just a new form." http://www.charlotteobserver.com/165/story/1076157.html 2. Theater review: Grease December 2nd, 2009 by Anita Overcash in Arts Grease Ovens Auditorium Dec. 1, 2009 The Deal: Grease opened last night at Ovens Auditorium. The Good: Highlights of the show included hits like “Summer Nights,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Beauty School Dropout,” “You’re the One That I Want,” and “We Go Together.” Lauren Ashley Zakrin – cast as Sandy Dumbrowski – acted as the perfect goodie two-shoes. The appearance by American Idol winner Taylor Hicks – who starred at Teen Angel – during “Beauty School Dropout,” was quite a hoot, as Kate Morgan Chadwick – cast as Frenchy – let out “I voted for you!” during the song. Applaud levels were also raised higher with the shimmering Hicks’ placement on the stage. All in all, the show was funny and energetic.The Bad: The music was loud during the show and a bit of a distraction. Though the show was enjoyable, it also failed to capture some of the intense emotions that seem to run deeper in the film version. This performance was less realistic, and more goofy. The Verdict: Though Grease didn’t quite live up to all the hype for me, it wasn’t a slump either. The cast was filled with enthusiasm and it showed, as both the T-Birds and Pink Ladies rocked their booties and strut their drama, up until the end with “We Go Together.” Performances of Grease continue until Dec. 6. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/theclog/2009/12/02/theater-review-grease/ 3. Gastonia’s the word! December 2nd, 2009, 12:39 pm · · posted by Bernie Petit The line that drew the biggest laugh at the opening night of “Grease,” the bubblegum jukebox musical that runs at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte through Sunday? It was when much-older disk jockey Vince Fontaine suggested to beauty queen Marty that their high school dance make-out session would be “legal in Gastonia.” Gastonia was the word of the night, as Fontaine earlier teased a couple of audience members flipping through their programs as he warmed up the crowd that they “must be from Gastonia.” When he asked Sarah from Mount Holly to lead her section of the audience in doing the twist, he asked her if she was from the New York/New Jersey area. Her response of “It’s near that place that I don’t want to say,” drew laughs from the audience and Fontaine (Dominic Fortuna). As for the rest of the show? It was good, light-hearted fun. It’s about the relationship between cool Danny Zuko, leader of the T-Birds, and sweet Sandy, whose squeaky-clean persona doesn’t square with Zuko’s 1950s-era greaser friends. Sandy does, somewhat surprisingly, befriend the Pink Ladies, the T-Birds’ female counterparts. In the midst of her on, then off, then on-again relationship with Zuko, Sandy transforms herself from plain ‘ol Sandra Dee to a sassy, sexy greaser chick. (Maybe it’s not the best message for young girls - who probably shouldn’t attend the play anyway - but that’s another topic.) There’s no real message to be learned from the show. Rather, it’s escapist theater that allows audience members to forget their worries for a couple of hours. And that’s okay, especially when the cast zips through those familiar songs you can listen to time and again, like “Summer Nights,” “You’re the One That I Want” and “Born to Hand-Jive.” Plus, “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks appears as Teen Angel, the guardian angel who tries to guide Pink Ladies member Frenchy when she decides to drop out of beauty school. He’s not much of a dancer (but if you’re a fan of “Idol,” you probably already know that) but he sure can sing. By the way, another “Idol” vet, Ace Young, will perform the male lead role Friday and Saturday opposite former MTV’s “Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” finalist Lauren Ashley Zakrin. Perhaps the must fun of the evening happened at the end of the show, when the cast performed a smash-up of the musical’s most popular songs and Hicks performed “Grease” along with a track from his latest CD. It was an enjoyable evening, even for those of us who consider Gastonia home. http://lifeasiknowit.freedomblogging.com/2009/12/02/gastonias-the-word/ 4. Brittany Cason After Dark blog Grease isn’t the word… but FREE tickets to see Grease is! December 2nd, 2009 by Brittney Cason in Brittney, Cultural Enrichment The Pink Ladies and T-Birds have invaded Charlotte… Oven’s Auditorium has been transformed into Rydell High… and Taylor Hicks went from American Idol, to an American Classic – Grease is the word! Last night was opening night for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s presentation of Grease at Oven’s Auditorium, and it will only be here until Dec. 6. Just like the book is always different from the movie – the movie is always different from the musical. There is new music, characters take on new traits and even the plot sequence is different. And that in itself is reason enough to go see it. It’s the kind of musical where you just can’t help but bob your head and shake your shoulders… but you kind of have to refrain from doing so, because it’s rude for the people behind you. Everytime someone in the crowd moves their head, the person behind them has to adjust theirs in order to see – and then the person behind them, the person behind them… and so on. This tall dude in front of me kept fidgeting with his face and changing positions, which required me to. At one point, I had to maneuver myself to see through the space between his elbow and his head. Just when everyone took a bow, and I thought the show was over … Taylor Hicks comes out with a guitar. Next thing I know, the musical transforms into a concert – a Taylor Hicks concert. You can buy tickets for the musical AND concert here … But, I am giving away one pair for Thursday night’s show at 7 p.m. the first person to email me at brittney.cason@creativeloafing.com and sing me a song from Grease, wins! http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/brittneyafterdark/2009/12/02/grease-isnt-the-word-but-free-tickets-to-see-grease-is/ 5. Taylor Hicks to sing National Anthem December 6th, 2009, 12:26 pm · · posted by sreed I’ll qualify this by saying when somebody told me Taylor Hicks was singing the National Anthem on Sunday I said, “Who?” Sorry folks, not an American Idol fan. He is currently on tour in Grease playing Teen Angel, the role originated by Alan Paul. I just met him a few minutes ago and he seems like a cool dude. He grew up in Alabama and is a huge football fan. He said he’s sung the National Anthem at so many venues he can’t remember them all. He said it’s one of the toughest songs he’s ever sung. “It is one of the most difficult songs to sing because it’s a cappella,” Hicks said. “I think if you stick to the melody, you’re good. But to me I don’t like people milking it. It loses its purpose. I think the words and the music state what it is. I think people milk it sometimes. I like to sing it straight and get the point across. It means a lot to a lot of people.” SOUL PATROL MEMORIES: 1. blumenthalshows Taylor Hicks is performing his new single! Wow...I like it :) Grease Rocked! 2. @bradfeichter tweetpix : ![]() 3. wpherrin: Grease was GREAT!!!! I got an autograph from taylor hicks and a picture, he was so sweet :) 4. aliciapie1987: saw grease today and it had taylor hicks in it wow got to see him perform one of his new songs at the end of grease woot great day!! durka courtesy of The Mishlers5. Beth_Agejew: Grease was awesome. Got within 10 feet of Taylor Hicks. Singing and dancing was fun, too! Grease is awesome. Two idols - Taylor Hicks and Ace Young. Can't wait for 2nd act. http://myloc.me/1UDwZ 6.Loriathome: At the Grease musical with Taylor Hicks 7.mjlefevre: Just saw Taylor Hicks (in Grease). Born entertainer. Fun way to get out of the house today. #charlotte 8.chefkcook: At Grease with the girls from the office! Ace Young and Taylor Hicks are both in the show! It is AWESOME!!! 9. ErinReneeGlu: GREASE was really good! Got a little mini concert from Taylor Hicks at the end as well! Love it! 10. Jamie DeSantis Saw Taylor in "Grease" in Charlotte this past Saturday, and I got his autograph after the show...oh my how handsome he is close up!! 11. My Thought on Grease the Musical Channell J's blog So on Monday my friend Leah and I went to see Grease that is on tour. And we both where very excited to go and see the show. Grease is one of her top favorite movies, so she was like overly excited and like always I am always excited when I get to sit down and enjoy a performance. When going to a show I don’t really have any huge expectations, but this show kind of blew my mind a little. When I say this show was amazing, I mean that show is amazing!!! The energy the cast had was just unbelievable and they were so interactive with the audience. They encourage people from the audience to sing, got them up and dancing, the comedy delivery was genus, I like how at the end they did a highlight of the show songs and to top it off Taylor Hicks was there so that drove the crow insane. And plus he did a mini performance at the end of the show and was in the lobby for autographs and to take pictures. That just goes to show you not to leave before the show is over, there were many people that got up right in the middle of the last number think that it was over and they missed out. That is one thing I never got why people leave before the show over, yea you may want to beat the traffic but you paid money for a show and you just leave before it is finish is mind blowing to me. But I digress, the show was really great and if you have not had the chance to see it, then I recommend seeing it when it is in a city near you. Oh and I also donated to BC/EFA so I left with a extra fuzzy feeling inside, so yea I also recommend donating as well it is a great cause, so you really can’t go wrong!!! MEDIA BLITZ: THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2009 1. FOXNewsRising - YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS This is the tweet from their page RT @FoxNewsRising American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks will be on Fox News Rising Thursday morning! We'll ask him your questions! DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE 8:45am EST � Live interview and performance on WCCB-TV FOX http://www.foxcharlotte.com/ http://www.foxcharlotte.com/subindex/rising ![]() ![]() Behind the Scenes video : by reisa ![]() 2. 8 :20am EST � Live phone interview with WMAD-FM (Madison, WI) http://www.wmad.com/main.html DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE http://wmad.com/cc-common/podcast.html AUDIO OF INTERVIEW: http://www.zshare.net/audio/97061294a9b64822/ 3. 9:15am EST � Live interview on �The AC and TJ Show� (WNKS-FM) http://www.acetj.com/features/home.php DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE 4. WCNC Charolette Channel 6 DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE http://www.wcnc.com/news/entertainment/Taylor-Hicks-visits-NewsChannel-36-78419372.html ![]() ![]() 4. KAT Radio 12/9/09 AUDIO OF INTERVIEW http://www.zshare.net/audio/970611452efcf8c0/ 5. Bruce Snyder at Fox Charlotte Panthers Interview: Prior to Singing the National Anthem at Panther Stadium |
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2:38 AM Jul 11